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Paul Simmons: The conditions thrown up by the North Sea for this event were exactly what I enjoy most, with breaking waves, chop and swell making for a true test of a paddler’ s sea skills.
Watching the top athletes( male and female) throwing their 14-foot boards around in the surf and negotiating the chest-high whitewater was impressive. It highlighted how those who are prepared to train and challenge themselves in ocean conditions build confidence in the surf and sharpen skills like board handling, timing, and using the paddle, to the point where racers perceive wavy conditions as fun rather than scary!
I would love to see more SUP racing in waves, and with racers putting in more time training in the surf. Spectacular SUP racing on the sea could become commonplace, making for more exciting racing, more appealing to sponsors and spectators alike, plus, more importantly, the most fun of all race disciplines to participate in. BRING IT ON!